Loggerhead Marsh – late summer 2016 showing mud flat visited by migrating shorebirds – Paul Frost
Peterborough ON – September 7 2016. Latest evaluation performed by the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) of Loggerhead Marsh, located in the city’s west end, has classified Loggerhead Marsh as a provincially significant wetland. Based on available information on the marsh and its wildlife and using the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES), the MNRF has classified Loggerhead marsh as a provincially significant wetland.
The classification of Loggerhead Marsh is based, in large part, on past monitoring data (20012013) collected by Otonabee Region Conservation Authority that was not previously disclosed to the public, before or after the currently proposed Batten-White subdivision application. Loggerhead Marsh identified as provincially significant has important implications for currently proposed and future residential subdivisions in Peterborough’s west end.
In particular, provincially significant wetlands normally have a 120 m buffer within which no structures can be built. This buffer reflects a high level of protection for the significant natural value of these wetlands as prescribed by local and provincial policy. The currently proposed Batten-White subdivision does not meet this required 120 m buffer zone next to the provincially significant wetland, Loggerhead Marsh. Given this, the Batten-White subdivision and the city’s Jackson Creek secondary plan need revisited and should account for the classification of Loggerhead Marsh as provincially significant.
“This new classification of Loggerhead Marsh as provincially significant more accurately reflects the environmental importance of this natural feature in Peterborough” says Dr. Paul Frost of Trent University. He has previously expressed concerns that the currently proposed Batten-White subdivision would affect the marsh and its outlet stream and hopes this new classification will provide the marsh the protection it deserves. While the City of Peterborough has proposed a meeting with Dr. Frost to discuss his concerns in April of 2016, there has been no meeting nor has one been scheduled to date. The lack of a decision on the Batten-White subdivision application by the City of Peterborough has been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. A pre-hearing is planned for October 2016.
For more information Elizabeth (Betsy) Healey, 705-930-3199 (mobile) or email at elizabethhealey99@gmail.com
For more information on OWES click http://kawarthaconservation.com/pdf/Significant%20wetlands.pdf
Least Bittern – Wikimedia
Chorus Frog -Tim Dyson
